Brazilian player sent off in Ukraine for reaction to racism
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian Premier League has called for an inquiry after a Brazilian player for Shakhtar Donetsk was sent off for responding to racist abuse with an obscene gesture.
Footage of Shakhtar’s game against Dynamo Kyiv on Sunday shows midfielder Taison displaying his middle finger to the Dynamo away fan section and kicking the ball into the stands.
Anti-discrimination group FARE Network says the referee implemented the first two steps of UEFA’s anti-racism protocol — making a stadium announcement and taking players off the field — but didn’t move to the third step, which would be to abandon the game.
The league says it “deeply regrets” the incident and condemns racism.
